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Hi Coastrekker,
It doesn’t get any more Inspiring!
16 DAYS TO GO!
In this edition:
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15 February 2011
"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention"
~ Oscar Wilde
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World First Blind Team - HELP SMASH THE $ MILLION DOLLARS
So, you think trekking 50 - 100k in teams of four in the hot sun, along soft sand and slippery rocky tracks is tough?
Well, imagine doing it BLIND!
And if you cant imagine what it's like to stumble, trip, trek, trot, scramble and walk Coastrek without sight, check this video >>>.
On Saturday Di Westaway and I were privileged to walk a section of the Coastrek with the 'Achilles Athletes' - the blind team led by Ben Phillips and guided by the most dedicated, patient and wonderful people.
We met at Manly Surf Club – they had walked 18km from Narrabeen at this point - it was hot and steamy. The noises and smells of Manly on a summers day were everywhere - laughter, surf crashing, music, sun block, salt, sweat.
Ben’s team arrived – hot and thirsty. While they could not see how great the day was out there – I can assure you – they were making the most of what they could do!! They were amongst it. We set off around Marine Parade to walk North Head. ‘Every step, every step’ – that mantra suddenly took on a whole new meaning!! The steps from Shelly Beach car park were the first ‘step challenge’ that I witnessed. ‘Stay right behind me, step up, step up, step up, step up, step up ‘ I heard Senator John Faulkner patiently, gently yet firmly guiding Ben all the way.
We clambered our way around North Head – their feet feeling for the rocks – some stable others not. The girls continued to chat….as we do!! Their energy was boundless, their dedication struck me to the core. On the road down to Collins Beach – Senator Faulkner said – you ready to jog? I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing – but off they went…. I sensed the elation at the freedom they felt at this point. Their sense of team was palpable – and isn’t that what Sydney Coastrek is all about??
By Manly the weather had turned – completely! Sydney was having its classic crazy weather spell, dark skies, thunder, lightning, torrents of rain. We sheltered at Manly Wharf. The chatter and their positive outlook did not abate – but neither did the weather. I even suggested they may consider abandoning at this point – after all – hadn’t they just walked 25km? And …the weather!!
But NO! I was put to shame. Ben’s team and his guides were not going to hear of it! The storm would pass – they would persevere. Nothing was going to stop them. I was struck by the positive outlook and sheer determination of what must be the most challenging drawbacks in Sydney Coastrek – lack of sight.
The Fred Hollows Foundation is passionate about restoring sight to those that are needlessly blind. Sydney Coastrek is passionate about supporting The Fred Hollows Foundation in achieving this goal.
Send out your sponsorship emails today and together – as a team – we can achieve something that is really worthwhile – that will quite literally change lives.
We have $1million dollars to raise - We have 2.5 weeks to go – and we can do it!!
Danae Griffith
Sydney Coastrek
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Achilles Athletes in Action. |
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WIN, WIN, WIN TRIPS AND GEAR
GOAL: $1 MILLION DOLLARS! LET'S DO IT!
To motivate YOU to put in that extra bit of effort in your fundraising, we've collected the following prizes. Check them out:
TOP THREE INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISERS:
1ST PRIZE: Central Australia trip to see the work of the Fred Hollows Foundation and visit Kakadu through the See Australia Program Value: Priceless PLUS TROPHY
2nd PRIZE: World Expeditions Larapinta Trek valued at $2,000 PLUS TROPHY
3RD PRIZE: Wild Women On Top: One Term Trek Training valued at $550, (women only)
TOP FIVE TEAM FUNDRAISERS:
1ST PRIZE: 4 x $250 TREK N TRAVEL GEAR VOUCHERS PLUS 4 PAIRS HELINOX TREKKING POLES plus TROPHIES PLUS A CHAMPAGNE WILD WALK for 8 WITH WILD WOMEN ON TOP
2nd PRIZE: FOUR PAIRS SALOMON TRAILRUNNERS PLUS MEDALS
3RD PRIZE: FOUR PAIRS MERRELL HIKING BOOTS PLUS MEDALS
4TH PRIZE: 4 HELINOX TREKKING UMBERLLAS PLUS MEDALS
5TH PRIZE: 4 ULTRALIGHT TREKKING CHAIRS PLUS MEDALS
1 x Lindt chocolate Lanterns for all Prize winners
Listen to Bens interview with Fran Kelly! Inspirational!!
Information Night
View the Sydney Coastrek Information Night Power Point presentation and FAQ’s.
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Photo: Reggie
Credit: The Fred Hollows Foundation. |
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HAPPY FEET
Are you getting too much sand in your shoes or slipping on the wet rocky tracks in your Coastrek training?
For Happy Coastrek Feet, we recommend trailrunners with good grippy soles that keep the sand out for the Day 50k, and running shoes for the Party All Night 50k. Luke, the shoe expert from Northside Runners in Manly, says “Trailrunners or runners are the best option for Coastrek, but you must find a brand that suits YOUR feet. Unlike trekking boots, you DON’T need to wear them in.”
“Depending on whether you pronate or have pre-existing issues, you might go for different brands and models, so we wont recommend one particular brand” says Luke.
Shoes with mesh uppers are great for keeping your feet cool, but the mesh let’s lots of sand in, even if you’re wearing ankle cuffs. So, consider gortex uppers to keep sand out. If you have to empty your shoes after every beach, that could add 40 minutes to your trek, with 5 minutes taken each time you take your shoes off and empty them of sand.
You should also discuss this issue with your team mates; agree on how many stops you’ll have and prevent blisters caused by removing the sand.
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Prevention is better than cure so do everything you can to keep the sand out by wearing ankle cuffs and appropriate shoes
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Practice the route and sand removal techniques so you can be fast.
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Discuss how your team will handle this issue.
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Remember your “Party Feet” for the Party All Night 50ks. Put them in your shoes at 25k, and move them occasionally to relocate the pressure points.
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Trekking boots are only recommended for ankle support issues or in cold wet conditions on rough bush tracks.
Happy Coastrekking Feet!
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Happy Feet! |
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LET'S SMASH THE $1 MILLION DOLLARS - Help Fred’s Legacy Live On
By smashing your fundraising targets, you’re directly contributing to Fred’s legacy. Help us to continue Fred’s dream!
“Fred was many things to many people – a husband, a father, a friend, a skilled ophthalmologist and for a few politicians and bureaucrats, an irritating thorn in their side. But above all else he was a humanitarian, which made him a terrific doctor. He truly believed it was the role of a doctor to serve, to help those in need.” Gabi Hollows
Last week marked the 19th Anniversary of Fred Hollows’ death. Fred was 63 when he passed away at his home in Randwick on the 10 February 1993. Six months before his death Fred said to Gabi “it doesn’t matter if I die tomorrow; I know you and all those people who believe in what I believe in will carry on."
The Fred Hollows Foundation has restored sight to well over a million people to continue the realization of Fred’s vision for a world where no one is needlessly blind and Indigenous Australians exercise their right to good health. But there is still much more work to be done. Three out of four people who are blind don’t need to be!
Your fundraising money will help us continue the work Fred started. $1600 is the minimum your team needs to raise for Coastrek, but don’t stop there! $25 can restore sight to a person in some countries. Every dollar you raise will contribute to improving the life of someone who would otherwise be blind.
Remember you only have until midday on 20th March 2012 to fundraise!
If you’re having any trouble at all with logging into your fundraising account, sending sponsorship emails or remitting cash donations, call or email The Coastrek Fundraising Team NOW – we’re here to help!
Send us an email at coastrek@hollows.org or call us on 1800 352 352 and ask to speak to someone in our team!
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Photo: Teaching and training doctors to ensure Fred’s work lives on: Professor Fred Hollows anaesthetises the eye of a patient being prepared for cataract surgery in Hanoi (Vietnam) in 1992.
Credit: Michael Amendolia. |
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TIME EFFICIENCY & TEAM WORK
You'll save time and energy and promote team love if you allocate a time keeper for all stops. Even if you're not trying to break records, a time keeper will minimise unnecessary delays, which can cause team conflict and increase fatigue related frustrations.
So, discuss your trek timing, put together a trek plan, and stick to it. Agree in advance how long to stop for coffee, stretching, shoe changes and swims. And remember, you can EAT and walk, and you can have your support team help fill up your water and provide food.
Most people walk at 4 - 6 kilometers per hour. Monitor your breaks and you'll have a much more pleasurable Coastrek experience. The longer it takes, the more tired you'll get.
Event Day Info Sheet
Everyone will need to read this EVENT DAY INFORMATION SHEET before the day. It has VERY important information including Check Point Cut Off and CLOSING times!
Support Crew
The rules have changed and your Support Crew can meet you when you want – but our advice is to keep this to a minimum. The more times you stop – the longer it will take you.
Bottle Necks
Palm Beach stairs at the sound end of the beach for the Palm Beach and
Balmoral Beach metal stairs at the back of the oval for the Party All Nighters
If you want to avoid Bottle Necks – get to the start of the crowd and run!
Slippery Bush Stairs – can be treacherous. Please know your mantra – every step, every step.
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Last Years 100km Winners! |
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Still need to register on line!
If you haven’t registered for Volunteering yet – but you have been talking about it – please do so NOW. Margie is doing an amazing job in co-ordinating all the volunteers, team leaders shifts and rosters – please help her make her life easier by going online and registering your details.
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We love you Volunteers! |
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Q: Who is coming all the way from Zurich to join the Bold & the Beautiful Team in walking Sydney Coastrek?
A: Margie Dane
And Catriona Bingemann is joining them from PERTH!! |
Zurich, Switzerland! |
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LOTS!
21st February – Team Leaders Meeting, Brookvale Offices
24th February - Trivia Night
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start (finish by 11pm)
Venue: Randwick Labor Club, 135 Alison Road, Randwick
Cost: $30 single seat / $200 table for eight (includes finger food)
RSVP: By 19th February 2012 - mschar@hollows.org
2nd March – Sydney Coastrek
22nd March – AWARDS NIGHT!! Mosman Rowers Mosman Bay RSVP NOW
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Add it to the diary now! |
Thanks again everyone - we look forward to seeing you on the track!!!
The Coastrek Team :)
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